Since beadboard is often sold in long strips, you’ll likely need to cut pieces down to size. Be sure to measure beforehand and to lay out your design before gluing to ensure that you’ll be happy with the final design. Don’t hesitate to add some paint or stain to make the look pop. Dark gray and muted teal are both beautiful choices when going for more than white.

Do you really need a one? Not really. But you’ll inevitably get that wall dirty while cooking or washing dishes, and an easy-to-clean surface can make messes easier to wipe up, especially if your stove doesn’t have a one built in. And almost any type of material can work–from bamboo to corkboard–as long as it’s properly sealed.